A woman will appear in court today charged over allegedly spitting on a bus driver in Sydney’s CBD.
About 5pm on Wednesday (6 May 2020), a woman, carrying a dog, boarded a bus stopped on Eddy Avenue in Haymarket.
Police will allege in court that when the bus driver, a 44-year-old man, told her that dogs were not permitted onboard, she refused to leave and spat on him.
The woman then ran from the bus through the front doors.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, including a public appeal, police arrested a 52-year-old woman in Dacey Gardens about 10.30am today (Friday 8 May 2020).
She was taken to Maroubra Police Station, where she was charged with common assault.
The Matraville woman was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today.
Author: admin
Homeless man robbed and assaulted near Cessnock
Police are appealing for public assistance after a homeless man was assaulted and robbed in the Hunter region.
Shortly after 5am yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2020), police have been told a 45-year-old man was asleep in a tent along the Elcom Fire Trail, off Old Maitland Road near Cessnock, when he was awoken by the sound of a motorbike.
He unzipped his tent when two unknown men demanded his vehicle and keys.
When the 45-year-old refused, the pair assaulted him several times with a baseball bat.
The homeless man fled his tent while the pair took his wallet and car keys, before fleeing in the man’s white Mitsubishi Pajero – with NSW registration plates AIB 56K.
He returned to his campsite and contacted police.
He was taken to Cessnock Hospital for treatment to injuries to his back and shoulder.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.
As part of their inquiries, officers wish to speak with two men who may be able to assist with their investigation.
The men have both been described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in their 30s, and were last seen wearing dark clothing, with their faces covered by motorbike helmets.
Police are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage from Old Maitland Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning, or who may have seen a white 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero with NSW registration plates AIB 56K, to contact Cessnock Police on 4991 0199 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)
In the past 24 hours, three men have been dealt with under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19, with one charged and two others issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs).
Yesterday’s charge:
• About 3am yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command responded to reports three people were arguing on The Kingsway, Gymea. As police arrived, two men – aged 18 and 21 – ran from the location and were located nearby hiding behind a parked car. The men and a woman were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out. When an officer identified one of the men as being wanted for a recent stealing offence, he allegedly ran from the area, pursued on foot by police, who arrested him after a short struggle near Gymea Railway Station. The 21-year-old man was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with resist officer in the execution of duty and larceny. He has been refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 7 May 2020). Checks revealed the 18-year-old man had previously received numerous warnings and was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday 29 July 2020. The 22-year-old woman was given a warning for the breach of the Ministerial Directions.
Yesterday’s PINs:
• Just before 3pm (Wednesday 6 May 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling George Street, when they observed three men sitting on the footpath near Railway Square. When police approached, one man became aggressive, stating the laws did not apply to him and allegedly continued to shout and swear. He was arrested and moved away from the other two men while checks were conducted, which revealed he had previously received a warning. The 48-year-old man was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN, while the other two men were issued warnings.
• About 6.40pm, officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped to speak with a 43-year-old man who was sitting on a bench outside Blacktown Library. Checks revealed the man had previously been warned by police on three separate occasions for breaching Ministerial Directions. After the man could not provide a reasonable excuse for being at the location, he was issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Woman charged following alleged spitting incident – Darling Harbour
A woman will appear in court today after allegedly spitting on a woman at a park in Darling Harbour this morning.
About 7.15am (Thursday 7 May 2020), a 60-year-old woman and her husband were exercising in Tumbalong Park when they were approached by a 43-year-old woman.
The younger woman threw a glass coffee cup towards the woman and started yelling racial abuse before allegedly spitting on her.
The older woman and her husband tried to walk away, but she continued following while yelling abuse.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling nearby and were alerted to the incident.
They located the woman and placed her under arrest before taking her to Day Street Police Station where she was charged with intimidation, common assault, and offensive behaviour.
She was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court today (Thursday 7 May 2020).
68% of Australians want stronger environmental laws, new poll shows
More than two thirds (68%) of Australians want stronger laws to protect our wildlife and environment, new research shows.
Poll figures released today, come after the Federal Government announced plans to amend Australia’s environment laws in a bid to fast-track applications for developments such as new mines and land-clearing as part of its post-COVID-19 agenda.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Government thinks it can use the cover of COVID-19 as an excuse to scrap environmental protections, but this polling shows they are barking up the wrong tree.
“Two-thirds of Australians want stronger environmental laws, not weaker ones that favour the Government’s big mining mates.
“The poll results show little support for the Morrison Government’s attack on the environment, with respondents rejecting the push to cut ‘green tape’ before the scheduled 10-year review of environmental laws is even complete.
“Australians have just experienced and witnessed overwhelming destruction of our environment with the catastrophic bushfires and so many of us have turned to nature to help us through the Coronavirus pandemic.
“They know our precious wildlife is endangered and our pristine wilderness and native bushland is being pummelled by miners and developers, and they want it protected.
“There was more than 1700 threatened species in Australia before the bushfire crisis including our beloved koalas and Victoria’s faunal emblem the Leadbeater’s possum, and with so much more habitat lost from the summer fires, many more species are expected to now be endangered.
“The EPBC Act is already failing in its purpose of protecting conservation and biodiversity with flora and fauna becoming threatened, endangered and even going extinct.
“Fast-tracking applications will do even more damage. As it is, only about 2 per cent of applications under the existing laws get knocked back.
“Worse still, many applications to clear potential habitat for threatened species and ecological communities are not even referred to the Federal Government for assessment, which has resulted in 7.7 million hectares being cleared between 2000 and 2017.
“Australia is losing more and more of our precious environment and the public want change that protects wildlife and habitat.
“The public will not fall for the lazy argument that sacrificing the environment is necessary for economic recovery, particularly when so many industries like tourism, accommodation and hospitality – some of the hardest hit by COVID-19 shutdowns, depend on our environment.
“This poll shows only 5% support the Government’s plans to weaken environment laws. It’s time the Morrison Government started listening to the people rather than the mining lobby, and protect what makes Australia such a great place to live and visit.”
Question: The Federal Government wants to make the process for approving developments and projects faster by changing laws that protect the environment and wildlife. Under the new laws, do you believe the environment and native wildlife should have …? Base: Australians 18+ (n=1,008)
The national poll of 1008 adult Australians in all states, was commissioned by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and conducted by Lonergan between 30 April and 4 May 2020.
Publicly-owned COVID19 vaccine manufacturer may be only way to save lives: Greens
The Australian Greens have called on the government to establish publicly funded vaccine manufacturing capacity in Australia to ensure any COVID19 vaccine is available to all Australians.
A recent Defence science technology report outlined in today’s media has warned of a shortage in vaccines in Australia during a pandemic because of the lack of production capacity in Australia.
Speaking in Melbourne Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP and Greens Health spokesperson Dr Richard Di Natale called on the Morrison government to immediately invest $70 million in expanding the CSIRO’s vaccine manufacturing facilities and to develop a plan to stand up a publicly funded manufacturing capacity by working with the Australian medical industry.
The Greens also want the Australian government to ensure the vaccine is available free of charge and have repeated their call for the flu vaccine to be fully available and free.
Adam Bandt said:
“We need a publicly backed vaccine manufacturer.”
“Currently most vaccine manufacturing happens in the United States, China and Germany. Australia risks being at the back of the queue.”
“Australians shouldn’t have to rely on Donald Trump putting us ahead of his reelection chances and expect that vaccines made in the United States will come here quickly.”
“We have wonderful medical scientists who are already working on vaccine candidates and some manufacturing capacity at the CSIRO and elsewhere that could be scaled up with the right investment from the Commonwealth.”
“If we can’t get the vaccine through other means, a publicly-owned COVID vaccine manufacturer may be the only way to save lives.”
Dr Richard Di Natale said:
“The government has a responsibility to ensure that Australians have timely, secure and free access to any COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. We know that the pandemic will likely disrupt existing supply chains for vaccines at a time when unprecedented supply will be required.”
“In past pandemics we have seen uneven and unfair distribution of vaccines in which wealthy nations have placed huge early orders and squeezed out smaller nations. By producing the vaccine locally Australia can secure domestic access for vulnerable Australians and also assist in ensuring access in our region.”
“The government also needs to ensure any COVID19 vaccine is free and widely available.”
Australia’s first regional Aboriginal-led COVID clinic opens in Toowoomba
Australia’s first regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service-led GP respiratory clinic has opened today in Toowoomba to provide locals with culturally safe place to be tested and treated for COVID-19.
The clinic, at Carbal Medical Clinic, will also take pressure off local hospital emergency departments and other GP clinics within the Toowoomba area.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the clinic is best placed to support people with a fever, a cough, a sore throat, and other respiratory symptoms and help to minimise the risk of infection in the communities.
“The respiratory clinic will enable members of the community with symptoms to receive the appropriate medical advice and get tested, without posing a risk to other patients in the clinic who may be seeing their GP for a non-COVID19 related reason,” Minister Coulton said.
“While the pandemic is not widespread in regional areas as yet, it’s important we have local doctors leading the local response and preparation for their communities.
“I want to assure regional Australians that our number one priority is protecting and supporting communities through COVID-19.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt said sadly, Indigenous Australians are more likely to suffer from a serious illness if they contract COVID-19. There are higher rates of chronic conditions and other health issues in regional communities and it can be hard to access health care.
This means that an outbreak of COVID-19 in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community has the potential to be very serious. This testing program will help protect Indigenous Australians against the virus.
Federal Member for Groom, Dr John McVeigh said the opening of the region’s first respiratory clinic was a very important step in the community’s ongoing fight against COVID-19.
“The Federal Government has been working with Carbal Medical Service, Darling Downs & West Moreton PHN, local GPs and Aspen Medical — which has significant health emergency management experience in Australia and overseas — to rollout the Toowoomba ACCHS clinic,” Dr McVeigh said.
To access the clinic GP respiratory clinic, patients can visit health.gov.au and use the online booking system or phone Carbal Medical Centre on 07 4639 7300.
The Federal Government has invested $206.7 million to establish around 100 respiratory clinics across Australia, including in rural and regional areas in each state and territory. Additionally, more than 200 fever clinics, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments, are also in operation across Australia.
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST DURING COVID-19
Service NSW has been contacted around 1.5 million times since COVID-19 began, with people turning to the app, calling the hotline and visiting the website to remain informed and learn about the impact of the virus on their local area.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 2 million people have downloaded the Service NSW app and 63,000 phone calls have been made to the hotline with the most common questions being about restrictions, traveling to visit family and providing transport.
“Families and businesses are under enormous stress right now, but we are helping make life easier for them by providing a one stop shop where they can get all the information and support they need,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Whether you’re a business owner after details on financial assistance, a couple wanting to book an appointment with a cost of living specialist, or a senior seeking the latest information on restrictions, Service NSW is here to help.”
The top five questions Service NSW has been asked are:
- Can I travel interstate?
- Can I travel to visit my kids/parents/brother/sister/friend/partner?
- Can I travel to see my elderly parents on ANZAC Day?
- Can I provide transport to family/friends to pick up food/essentials?
- Can I travel for work purposes / medical purposes?
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said support is available at Service NSW Centres, over the phone, via the app and online.
“It’s the Service NSW way to put customers first and make access to information and programs as painless and efficient as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“Download the free Service NSW app to receive the latest COVID-19 information. Staff are also contactable around the clock to point customers in the right direction via the 24/7 hotline on 13 77 88.”
Other examples of COVID-19 assistance available via Service NSW includes:
- $10,000 small business grants – more than 18,750 grants have been approved;
- Cost of living support – phone appointments with specialists are available to assist customers with finding savings, including newly established COVID-19 specific rebates. Households have collectively saved more than $1.6 billion since July 2018, with the average customer saving $563;
- More than 200,000 businesses to benefit from up to $70 million in tradie and liquor licence fee waivers.
Further information on Service NSW is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au
LAND TAX CONCESSION APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Landlords providing rent relief for eligible tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 can now apply for land tax concessions online.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the land tax concessions were part of a wide range of support measures designed to help those in need and to support jobs and business.
“Eligible landlords will be able to apply for a land tax concession of up to 25 per cent of their 2020 land tax liability on relevant properties so long as they pass on the full savings in the form of a rent reduction to their tenants,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The land tax concession is expected to be divided approximately 50-50 with around $220 million going to the commercial sector and a further $220 million expected to benefit the residential sector.”
Once approved, a concession will be applied to any unpaid 2020 land tax notices, and refunds will be issued for payments already made this year. Those refunds are expected to take up to five days to process once determined.
Landlords can find out more about eligibility and apply for a tax concession online and are encouraged to complete their applications before 31 October 2020.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was committed to supporting people, communities and businesses during COVID-19.
“We are doing everything we can to keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Small businesses severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions may be eligible for the NSW Government’s $10,000 Small Business Support Fund grant and those with a payroll of $10 million or less can get a 25 per cent payroll waiver for 2019-20.”
To find out more about how the NSW Government is working to bolster our health resources, protect jobs and businesses visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support
Celebrated senior artist Tom Gleghorn OAM homeward bound to Newcastle Art Gallery
In 1959 Tom Gleghorn held his inaugural solo exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery. Sixty-one years later, he is homeward bound.
Newcastle Art Gallery is staging the first major survey of work by Tom Gleghorn OAM, regarded as one of Australia’s finest and influential abstract expressionists.
HOMEWARD BOUND: the art and life of Tom Gleghorn will feature paintings and drawings from Newcastle’s collection, including the new major acquisition Landscape Altar – MacDonnell Ranges 1986, as well as works of art on loan from private and public collections.
Drawn from across the artist’s extraordinary career of more than 70 years, the exhibition will also feature a new documentary created by journalist and author Scott Bevan specially for the exhibition.
“We are deeply honoured to be staging the first major survey of Gleghorn’s work,” Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said.
“His ability to evoke a strong sense of immersion within his compositions, his connection to the Australian landscape, as well as his mastery of colour and form, is strongly represented within this exhibition.
“As a highly respected senior artist, Gleghorn has influenced the Australian artistic community through not only his own practice, but his commitment to education. This survey is long overdue.”
Now aged in his mid-nineties, Gleghorn has maintained a sense of kinship with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie throughout his life.
Born in England in 1925, he migrated to Australia with his family at the age of two. He was a student of renowned artist William Dobell and grew to be a contemporary of artists such as John Coburn and Robert Dickerson.
Due to current restrictions, the exhibition will launch online on Saturday 9 May at 12 noon via Newcastle Art Gallery’s social media and website.
“Despite the difficult circumstances, the Gallery team has worked hard to continue to stage the exhibition,” Morton said. “We’ve developed several exciting ways in which our audience will be able to engage with the exhibition while our doors are temporarily closed.”
KEY EXHIBITION DATES
Saturday 9 May, 12 noon – Virtual tour launch of HOMEWARD BOUND: the art and life of Tom Gleghorn via Newcastle Art Gallery website and social media